Foot Reflexology and Acupressure on Gastrointestinal Symptoms (Menopausal)

April 7, 2026 updated by: CANSU AĞRALI, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

The Effect of Foot Reflexology and Acupressure on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Menopausal Women

This research was planned to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology and acupressure applications on gastrointestinal symptoms in women going through menopause. Menopause is a period in which a woman experiences profound changes in her physiological, psychological, and social life due to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone hormones. Changes in digestive system functions are particularly common during this period; gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal pain significantly reduce the quality of life.

The scope of the study focuses on investigating the manageability of these symptoms that occur during menopause with reflexology and acupressure, which are complementary and alternative medicine methods. Reflexology is a method based on the assumption that specific points on the soles of the feet are connected to the relevant organs in the body, aiming to increase blood circulation and regulate organ functions. Acupressure, based on Chinese medicine, aims to regulate energy flow and reduce symptoms by applying finger pressure to specific acupuncture points. Both methods are increasingly recommended for symptom management during menopause due to their non-invasive nature, low side effects, and ease of application.

This research will be conducted at Osmaniye State Hospital and will be limited to menopausal women who apply to this institution. Participants' demographic characteristics, duration of menopause, health history, and gastrointestinal symptom levels will be assessed using a Demographic Information Form and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The application process will be carried out in accordance with standard reflexology and acupressure protocols, and changes in symptoms will be analyzed using pre-test and post-test measurements. The study also aims to reveal the effects of gastrointestinal symptoms experienced during menopause on women's quality of life; This study aims to provide evidence-based data on complementary methods that can be integrated into nursing care, in addition to pharmacological treatments. The limited number of studies in the literature addressing the effects of complementary medicine practices during menopause makes this research unique from both a clinical and academic perspective.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Menopause is a transitional period in which women experience profound changes in their physiological, psychological, and social lives due to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone hormones. During this process, significant changes are observed, particularly in digestive system functions, as a result of hormonal fluctuations. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal pain, frequently encountered during menopause, significantly reduce women's daily activities and overall quality of life.

Intervention Methods and Mechanisms of Action

This research deeply examines the effectiveness of non-invasive, low-side-effect, and practically applicable complementary and alternative medicine methods in managing these gastrointestinal symptoms. The theoretical framework of two main interventions to be applied in this study is as follows:

Foot Reflexology: This is based on the principle that specific reflex points on the soles of the feet are directly connected to the relevant organs, glands, and systems in the body. Manipulations performed on these points according to standard protocols aim to increase blood circulation, relax the nervous system, and directly support the normal functions of the gastrointestinal system.

Acupressure: Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, this method involves applying systematic pressure with the fingertips to specific acupuncture points to balance the flow of energy in the body. This stimulation aims to regulate nerve transmission, relieve spasms and blockages in the digestive system, and thus alleviate gastrointestinal complaints.

Clinical Significance and Contribution to the Literature While routine pharmacological treatments are common in the management of menopausal symptoms, there is a growing need for holistic approaches that can be integrated into these treatments and have no side effects. The limited number of studies in the literature examining the specific direct effects of complementary medicine practices on the gastrointestinal system and their impact on quality of life in menopausal women makes this study highly unique in terms of both clinical practice and academic literature. The findings of this research will contribute to the creation of evidence-based, independent, and effective nursing interventions that can be integrated into standard nursing care plans in addition to pharmacological methods.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
120

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being between 45 and 60 years of age,
  • Being in menopause,
  • Experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms,
  • Agreeing to participate in the study voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with chronic gastrointestinal disease,
  • Individuals receiving regular medication will not be included in the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
No Intervention: control
Experimental: Acupressure
Other: Acupressure

Description:

Menopausal women assigned to the acupressure group will receive a standardized acupressure protocol administered by a trained/certified practitioner. The steps and standards of the intervention are as follows:

Preparation: The application will be conducted in a quiet, well-ventilated room with appropriate lighting and temperature to ensure the participant's comfort. The participant will be placed in a relaxed, comfortable position (supine or seated) that allows the practitioner easy access to the targeted acupressure points.

Target Area Applications: The intervention involves applying physical pressure to specific acupuncture points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to regulate energy flow (Qi) and alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. The practitioner will focus on key acupoints known to support the stomach, intestines, and overall digestive system, as well as points that promote systemic relaxation and autonomic nervous system balance.

Application Techni
Experimental: Foot Reflexology
Other: Foot Reflexology

Menopausal women assigned to the foot reflexology group will receive a standardized reflexology protocol administered by a trained/certified researcher. The steps and standards of the intervention are as follows:

Preparation: The application will be conducted in a quiet room with adjusted lighting and temperature. The participant will be positioned on a bed in a supine or semi-sitting position (approximately 45 degrees) with their legs supported. An unscented and non-allergenic massage oil or lotion will be used to reduce friction and maintain skin integrity.

Warm-up and Relaxation: Before starting the specific procedure, a brief relaxation massage using effleurage and petrissage techniques will be applied to both feet to increase blood circulation and prepare the tissues.

Target Area Applications: Following the warm-up, the focus will be directed to specific reflex points aimed at alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, which is the primary objective of the study. Using thumb-walkin

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Primary Outcome Measure Change from Baseline in Gastrointestinal Symptom Scores as Measured by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 8 (8 weeks)
Gastrointestinal symptoms will be quantified using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), a validated, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 15 items grouped into five domains: abdominal pain, reflux, indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = no discomfort to 7 = very severe discomfort). Domain scores and total GSRS score will be calculated as the mean of item scores, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. The primary endpoint is the change in total GSRS score from baseline to Week 8.
Baseline and Week 8 (8 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 30, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 7, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 14, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 7, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • OsmaniyeKAU-SBF-CA-04

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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